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Clarifying ‘immaculate conception’
Regarding the “Pregnancy takes two” letter in the May 25 Spokesman-Review (Valerie Derks), Ms. Derks’ use of the term “Mary’s immaculate conception” is cited incorrectly when referring to Jesus’ conception.
It is a popular misconception (no pun intended) that the phrase “Immaculate Conception” refers to how Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb. In fact, the term refers to Mary’s conception as being “immaculate.” Unlike every other human being, Mary was conceived without the stain of Original Sin on her soul in order for her to be the purest of women … to be worthy of bearing the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus. Our Blessed Mother is known as the Immaculate Conception because she herself has stated, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Jesus was conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit at the Annunciation, when the angel told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son. Mary’s maternity with Jesus is referred to as the “Virgin Birth”.
Elaine V. Bartlett
Spokane